Jigsaw puzzle workboard with storage drawers

ABSTRACT

A rectangular wooden jigsaw puzzle workboard includes a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. The panel has a perimeter edge including a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. Four drawers are mounted along width of workboard to provide unique sorting, assembly and storage system for puzzle pieces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game workboard for jigsaw puzzles andin particular it pertains to a useful game workboard for providing ajigsaw puzzle user with a convenient means of storage drawers to work ona puzzle while using a minimum amount of table space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that may require the assembly ofnumerous interlocking pieces. Each piece may include a small part of apicture on it. When completely assembled, a jigsaw puzzle reveals acomplete picture.

Jigsaw puzzles often include thousands of pieces and assembly of suchpuzzles may take more than one day. Usually jigsaw puzzles (oftenreferred to as puzzles) are built on a flat surface, such as a kitchentable or a card table having collapsible legs.

Several types of tables are already known to provide panels upon whichpuzzle pieces can be assembled and to provide means for constrainingsuch pieces in predetermined positions for storage before completion ofthe puzzle. Examples of these types of devices can be seen in U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,987,496; 3,550,945; 4,302,013; 4,479,651; 4,552,361; 4,142,726;and, 4,111,425.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,745 describes a work panel on which the puzzlepieces are assembled. This panel is made of wood or plastic and coveredby a thin layer of tin or steel constituting a ferromagnetic base. Aflexible magnetic cover sheet is hinged to one edge of the work paneland adheres to the thin layer of tin or steel all around the puzzlepieces to hold them in a desired relationship and against shiftingduring horizontal or vertical storage of the panel.

Generally, these known tables/holders have proven unsuitable for storagewhen made of a size to accommodate puzzles containing a great number ofpieces. It is too big to be conveniently carried, moreover, it isdifficult to move and store a puzzle without being damaged by anaccidental bump or fall.

What is needed is a portable table having the required size larger thanthat of the assembled puzzle wherein, such table which has container tostore puzzle pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide a wooden rectangular game workboardthat would allow the jigsaw puzzle to be moved when necessary and wouldstore unassembled pieces in the drawer, thereby preventing loss of thepuzzle pieces.

The present invention generally comprises a panel having an uppersurface and a lower surface. The rectangular panel has a front edge, aback edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. Four drawers aremounted on the bottom surface to extend away from both side edges.

Two collapsible H-shaped legs are attached to bottom surface of thepanel to provide support to the panel in keeping horizontal orientationof the workboard.

The objects of the invention, along with the various features ofnovelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a jigsaw puzzle table according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention withoutcollapsible legs; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention withcollapsible legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term ‘workboard’ refers to tabletop plateau made of quality woodscombined with durable fiberboard providing support and surface for work.

The term ‘workspace’ refers to the working space available on workboard.

The term ‘panel’ refers to a flat wooden board made to form part of asurface.

The term 11-Shaped leg' refers to table bases that include a cross barbetween the uprights for added strength and stability.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-4thereof, a game workboard, more particularly, jigsaw puzzle workboardembodying the principles and concepts of the present invention andgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10 is described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10generally comprises a panel 12 rectangular in shape having an uppersurface 14 and a lower surface 16. The panel 12 has a perimeter edge 18including a front edge 20, a first side edge 22, a back edge 24 and asecond side edge 26. A lip 28 is attached to and extends along the backedge 24 and the second side edge 26. The lip 28 is mounted on theperiphery of the panel 12 and it extends upward to hold a puzzle 2 as itplaced on the panel 12. The lip 28 is perpendicularly adjacent to theworkspace of the workboard 10. The lip 28 defines an interior workspacefor the containment of jigsaw puzzle game pieces. The lip 28 is securedto the game workboard by suitable chemical or mechanical methods such asbut not limited to glue or wood screws. Although no specific length isrequired for the lip 28, good results have been achieved with a lip 28that extends three-quarters of an inch (2 cm) in length above workboard10.

Although it is not shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is within thescope of the present invention that a padded material could besubstantially superposed on the lip 28 to provide comfort for the usersarms while using the workboard 10.

Although it is not shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is within thescope of the present invention that a front edge 20 and second side edge26 of panel 12 has no lip 28 attached, while, a first side edge 22 andback edge 24 has lip 28 perpendicularly adjacent to the workspace of theworkboard 10. The embodiment provide comfort for the users arm whileusing the workboard 10 while seated at front edge 20.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, the game workboard 10 as shown in thepreferred illustrated embodiment is substantially planar and generallyrectangular in shape. The game workboard 10 provides a horizontalsupport structure for the jigsaw puzzle game pieces during the assemblyprocess of the jigsaw puzzle. Although good results have been shown witha game workboard 10 that is rectangular in shape, it is within the scopeof the present invention that numerous other shapes of the gameworkboard 10 could be used to achieve the desired functionality asdescribed herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation, thegame workboard 10 could be circular in shape.

In preferred embodiment, the game workboard 10 is manufactured from asuitable durable material such as wood combined with durable fiberboard.In another embodiment, the game workboard 10 could be manufactured fromplastic or fiberglass. In yet another embodiment, the workspace is madeof non-slip felt surfaces to keep game pieces secure.

In a preferred embodiment, good results have been achieved with a gameworkboard 10 that is jumbo-sized measures 35.5″ in length×26.5″ in width(90×67 cm)×3″ to 4″ (7.5 cm to 9 cm) in height and standard sizedmeasures 30″ in length×22″ in width (76×56 cm)×3″ to 4″ (7.5 cm to 9cm).

The storing capacity of drawers vary as per varying sizes of the puzzlegame pieces. In a preferred embodiment, the jumbo size fits most 1500puzzle pieces and standard size fits most 1000 puzzle pieces.

The lip 28 is perpendicularly adjacent to the workspace of the workboard10. The workspace of jumbo-sized measures 34″ in length×26″ in width(86×66 cm) and standard sized measures 28.5″ in length×21.5″ in width(72×54 cm).

Rim 50, as shown in FIG. 4 is attached to bottom surface at lowersurface 16 of the panel 12.

A drawer 40 is mounted between panel 12 and rim 50 on the lower surface16. The drawer 40 is positioned such that it is extendable outwardlyaway from the first side edge 22, and, the second side edge 26. Thisallows the drawer 40 to be removed while the workboard is positioned onthe ground surface 4 without the drawer 40 striking the ground surface4. Also, by being positioned along a side edge 22 and 26 of the panel12, the drawer 40 is accessible by a user sitting by the front edge 20by knob 42 attached.

Specific size of drawers are required to fit within the workboard 10.Good results have been achieved with a Jumbo-sized game workboard 10that measures 17.25″ in length×11.75″ in width (44×30 cm)×1″ (2.5 cm) inheight and standard sized measures 16.5″ in length×11″ in width (42×28cm)×1″ (2.5 cm) in height.

Adjacent to the four corners of panel 12 the rim 50 has holes 32 onlower surface 16. Two H-shaped legs 30 are attached to rim 50conventionally by hinges generally in each corner of the lower surface16 on panel 12 at holes 32. The H-shaped legs 30 are collapsible. Thecollapsible legs 30, when positioned in the holes 32, support the panel12 in horizontal orientation with respect to a ground surface 4 as shownin FIG. 4. In open position, as shown in FIG. 1, the legs 30 aresubstantially perpendicular to the workboard 10 and provide supportthereof. The open position is the desired position for use of the jigsawpuzzle workboard 10 during the assembly process. In closed position, thelegs 30 are substantially parallel to the workboard 10. This position isdesirable for storage and transportation of the jigsaw puzzle workboard10.

The legs 30 are manufactured from a suitable durable material such aswood, plastic, fiberglass or metal. Although it is not shown in theillustrated embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous types of configuration of the legs 30 could be used.

In another embodiment, more specifically but not by way of limitation,the legs 30 could be manufactured of metal segments to form atelescoping leg. The telescoping legs on each corner could beindependently adjusted of each other to achieve a desired length of theworkboard 10. Telescoping legs would also allow the user to place theworkboard 10 at an angle similar to that of a common drafting table tofor assembly and display of a jigsaw puzzle game.

In yet another preferred embodiment, legs 30 do not have to be presentfor the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 to achieve the desired function ofproviding a horizontal support structure with a lip 28 for thecontainment therein of the jigsaw puzzle game pieces. The legs 30 arepreferably optional extension to the game workboard. The legs 30 asshown in the illustrated embodiment would be detached from the workboardcompletely for storage and/or transportation of the jigsaw puzzleworkboard 10.

Although the legs 30 are shown in the illustrated embodiment to begenerally H-shaped legs, those skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous different shapes could be used in place of and/or inconjunction with the legs 30 to achieve the desired function asdescribed herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation thelegs 30 could be cylindrical in shape. The length for the legs 30 istwenty-eight inches.

In use, puzzle pieces 6 are stored in the drawer 40 and the puzzle 2assembled on the upper surface 14 of the panel 12.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different shapesand colours of the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 could be used in place ofand/or in conjunction with the shapes and colours suggested herein toachieve the desired function of the present invention. Those skilled inthe art will also recognize that the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 could beused for numerous other hand games that comprise small pieces where itis desirable to have a support surface with the ability to contain thepieces of the game thereon.

The user will transport the game workboard 10 to a desired location.Upon reaching the desired location the user will rest the workboard 10generally perpendicular with the floor. While supporting the workboard10 generally perpendicular to the floor, the user will grab the legs 30one at a time and extend each leg 30 to the open position as describedherein. Once all legs 30 are in the open position, the user will thenplace the workboard 10 so that the workboard 10 is substantiallyparallel with the floor. The user will then place the desired jigsawpuzzle or other game pieces on the workspace of the workboard 10 andengage in the activity of sorting the game pieces in four drawers 40.Upon finishing, or when the user is ready to transport or store thejigsaw puzzle workboard, the user will fold the legs 30 in closedposition while supporting the workboard. The user will then lift thejigsaw puzzle workboard 10 and transport to the desired storage locationsuch as under the bed, sofa, desk etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game workboard, comprising; a panel having anupper surface and a lower surface, said panel having a perimeter edgeincluding a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second sideedge; four drawers being mounted on said lower surface, said drawerspositioned such that two drawers are extendable outwardly away fromfirst side edge; two drawers are extendable outwardly away from secondside edge; and a pair of legs, each of said legs collapse downwardlyfrom said panel; supporting said panel on a surface and in horizontalorientation with respect to the surface.
 2. The game workboard accordingto claim 1, wherein four drawers positioned to extend outwardly awayfrom workboard.
 3. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein twodrawers positioned to extend outwardly away from first side edge.
 4. Thegame workboard according to claim 1, wherein two drawers positioned toextend outwardly away from second side edge.
 5. The game workboardaccording to claim 1, wherein, the panel is rectangular in shape.
 6. Thegame workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the workboard has alength, a width and a height, wherein substantially, the length is35.5-inches and the width is 26.5-inches and the height is 3 to 4inches; and the drawers have a length, a width and a height, wherein,the length is 17.25-inches and the width is 11.75-inches and the heightis 1-inch; and the drawers hold 1500 game pieces.
 7. The game workboardaccording to claim 1, wherein, the workboard has a length, a width,wherein substantially, the length is 30-inches and the width is22-inches and the height is 3 to 4 inches; and the drawers have alength, a width and a height, wherein, the length is 16.5-inches and thewidth is 11-inches and the height is 1-inch; and the drawers hold 1000game pieces.
 8. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, thedrawer has knobs to extend outwardly from side edges.
 9. The gameworkboard according to claim 1, wherein, two collapsible legs areattached to bottom side of said workboard by hinges.
 10. The twocollapsible legs according to claim 1, wherein, collapsible legs areH-shaped legs attached to bottom side of said workboard by hinges. 11.The game workboard according to claim 9, wherein, the legs aredetachable from the hinges of the bottom surface of said workboard. 12.The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein each of said legscollapse away from said panel, each of said legs providing support in adesired horizontal position.
 13. The game workboard of claim 1, whereineach of said legs are approximately 28 to 30-inches in length.
 14. Thegame workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the panel is made of woodcombined with durable fiberboard.
 15. The game workboard according toclaim 1, wherein, the panel is made of plastic.
 16. The game workboardaccording to claim 1, wherein, the panel is made of durable fiberglass.17. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the weight of saidworkboard is 15-20 pounds.